It all begins with the writers who dream up wacky situations for the cartoon characters to play out on the screen. Next, the directors and artists sketch out each angle and shot in a series of pictures called a storyboard.This is the first stage in the visual appearance of the cartoon. The storyboard then goes to the layout artist who draws poses to define and expand upon the action only hinted at in the storyboard. Animators use these 'key poses' as a guide to how the characters will move within the scene. Then, the background artist study the storyboard to develop the setting for the cartoon. They design the location or environment in which the characters will act. Meanwhile, the animation script is being recorded by talented voice artist.

Once the key poses and script are approved, the animators begin their work. With the added drawings done by assistant animators, pencil tests are created. Once the rough animation is on paper, the drawings are traced onto acetate cels and then painted using a broad pallete of colors. The animation is then filmed frame by frame. (FYI - There are 24 frames of film per second.)

In addition to the pictures and voice artists, final animation includes music and sound effects. Some studios use music from a sound library, but we record the music for each show in scoring sessions. The specially composed music fits the action of the cartoon and enhances it with little musical jabs, blinks, boings and crashes. Foley artists provide all those cool sound effects you hear in cartoons, like footsteps, explosions, thunder and rain.